Added 17th July: Read our thoughts on the first UK WTF Bikexplorers ride here on Bikepacking.com!
It’s nearly here! Adeline and I are super stoked to be bringing you the Bristol edition of the WTF Bikexplorers Grassroots Ride Series.
WTF Bikexplorers
In case you’re not familiar with WTF Bikexplorers, it stands for Women, Trans, Femme & Non-Binary, and is an awesome initiative based out of Portland, Oregon to encourage and support a wider diversity of riders in adventure cycling.
First founded by six friends, they now hold an annual Bikepackers Summit attended by over 100 riders from all over the US and have recently been named Bikepacking.com’s bikepackers of the year! The Summit is definitely on my bucket list, but for now I’ll make do with my rad Shred The Patriarchy bike sticker…
The 2018 WTF Bikexplorers Summit, photo Gritchelle Fallesgon/WTF Bikexplorers
The Grassroots Ride Series is a movement toward creating a stronger, more connected WTF Bikexploring community.
So what’s the deal?
We’re hosting one of their global rides, aiming to uphold & spread the mission of WTF. Are you a WTF Bikexplorer? All you have to do is sign up and get involved! On Saturday 1st of June we’ll be rolling out of Business As Usual, a cycling hub in Bristol for an off-road ride to the Mendips, where we’ll camp overnight and return to the city the following day, on Sunday 2nd. This ride is designed for beginner bikepackers and off-road riders.
The Mendips Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is just a stone’s throw away from the bustling city of Bristol, yet it offers some of the most spectacular and diverse riding in the South West of England, from quiet back lanes to flowy dirt singletrack, sheltered pine forests to exposed and beautiful purple moorlands. The route heads out from Business As Usual in central Bristol, on lanes and bridleways to this remote gem where we’ll wild camp overnight in ancient woodlands, before returning to the big city the following afternoon.
The second day will take us to the incredible Cheddar Gorge, a must for cycling routes in the area, with an alternative climb up this wild landscape. The off road sectors will be mellow to medium difficulty, with the occasional steep incline (we do love a bit of hike a bike) which is perfect for inexperienced off-road riders.
Provisional route found here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29700940
What will you need?
- An off road bicycle – cyclo-cross, gravel or MTB
- Helmet (100% compulsory)
- Overnight equipment
- Sleeping bag
- Bivvy or hammock or tent
- Roll mat
- Change of clothes if you like
- Mug
- Usual riding tools & snacks
- Some way of attaching these to your bike
If you are lacking any kit and would like advice on what to buy or borrow, please get in touch. We know lots of hacks to make starting bikepacking easy and affordable!
How do I sign up?
You’ll need to send a message to Katherine (me) either on Instagram here or via the contact form on this website. The ride is limited to 10 places so be quick if you’d like to join!
About us – your ride leaders
You’ll be joining myself and Adeline, the Belgian badass behind Mercredi bikes and the Good Vibes Only cyclo-cross team. Adeline is not only an incredibly talented cyclo-cross racer, but also experienced bikepacker, from adventures in Slovenia to Morocco – getting wild and dirty is her second nature.
So what are you waiting for? Drop us a message now and come be a part of it!
Katherine & Adeline x
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